Analysing the Corrosion Vulnerability of Stainless-Steel Bars in Accelerated Aggressive Environments

Abstract

Reinforced cement concrete, a widely utilized construction material, faces deterioration primarily because of the corrosion of the steel reinforcement embedded within the concrete matrix. To investigate the degradation rate of such structures, concrete specimens were cast both with and without embedded steel. The study employed accelerated corrosion techniques to expedite the assessment process. Even under accelerated conditions, stainless-steel rebar demonstrates remarkable resistance to corrosion. This discovery stemmed from a thorough investigation into cracking behaviour. During this examination, concrete structures containing TMT rebar exhibited cracks within just four days. Conversely, when stainless-steel rebar was employed, only superficial indications of cracking were observed in the concrete specimens. Multiple comprehensive corrosion studies further substantiate the notion that stainless-steel rebar exhibits outstanding resistance to corrosion even when subjected to harsh environmental conditions.